Addicted {bxb}

XIV

I stood separately from the crowd of people that filled my living room. My parents were hosting an event at our house and somehow I got stuck in it. They didn't know that I was home until my dad locked his eyes on me from the opposite side of the kitchen. My mom was in a conversation with Mrs. Hawkk, Maricio's mom and the two of them both let out a laugh. I thought about leaving to go somewhere else but I didn't know where to go. The Dellmon's were here which I soon found out when I saw Erica's parents talking to another pair of lovers who I didn't recognize. I finished the last of the champagne that was in my glass before leaving the kitchen hoping to find Erica or someone around my age.

"Justin," I heard an all too familiar shout from beside me.

I looked in the direction that the voice came from and saw Maricio making his way towards me. I rolled my eyes but stood in place as I waited for him to get closer to me.

"What do you want?" I asked not wanting to waste any time.

"You're a little underdressed for this event don't you think?" he stated then looked at me up and down.

"I didn't plan on attending actually," I informed him as I shoved my hands in the pockets of my sweatpants.

He chuckled for some odd reason that I feel like questioning him about. His eyes looked past me and soon I looked over my shoulder and saw his mom looking at the two of us. She waved shyly at the two of us and since I didn't want to be rude I waved back before facing the male in front of me.

"Was this a setup?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I told you that she didn't believe that we still talked," Maricio said, slowly raising his glass up to his lips.

I let out a sigh and then rubbed the inner corners of my eyes. "Look Maricio-"

"What's your deal against me anyways, Park?" he questioned and I couldn't help but notice the anger in his tone.

"My deal?" I asked as if his question offended me.

"Yes. I did nothing to you but get your parents a deal with mine then get them to be their right-hand man whenever they needed it."

"And I appreciate you for that," I said, giving him a warm but fake smile.

"I just want to know why you feel like you have to hate me."

Hate? Is that how he thought I looked at him?

"You knew this was never going to be a real friendship, Maricio."

I walked through the campus of the college with Erica, ignoring everything she was telling me about how her parents wanted her to attend their first event with my parents. It isn't every day that our parents would invite us to such an important event in their career. But in this case, from what I've heard, her parents wanted to prepare her for when it was her time to take over.

"... I just don't see myself in this role," Erica's voice rang in my ear.

"Then just tell them that," I said with a shrug.

"I ca-"

"I'll catch up with you later," I said, making my way in a different direction from where we were walking.

"Where are you going?" she shouted to me. "Justin."

I turned the same corner that I saw Maricio go, sneaking up on him unintentionally. Then once I felt like I was close enough I called his name. He looked over his shoulder and when his eyes locked on mine he smiled softly.

"Hey Justin," he said softly.

"Hey," I said as we both began our walk together. "There's a small favor that I need from you."